Spring in Texas is a time for backroad drives and wildflower beauty. Although wildflowers are everywhere, seeing them out on backroads is a special treat. In addition to the famous and crowded Willow City Loop, County Road 307 is another … Read More

The American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis) is a fascinating butterfly closely related to the Painted Lady butterfly (Vanessa cardui). Distinguishing them can be difficult. A significant difference between the two butterflies is the underside of their hindwings. As you can see … Read More

In September 2021, we spent a few days in the Ruidoso, New Mexico, area. Besides hiking around the area, we also did some sightseeing in other places. On the day we went to White Sands NP, we noticed a beautiful … Read More

Many local shrubs and trees suffered devastating effects after the hard week-long freeze and snowfall that hit Texas in February 2021. Throughout the city, it was evident to see the damage caused. Most noticeable were palm trees. The city of … Read More

Some time ago, we went for a visit to a fantastic Austin nursery, Garden Seventeen. We were looking for native plants to add to our front and back yards in our old house. After the 2021 February snowpocalypse, a few … Read More

Brushy Creek Regional Trail has become one of my favorite bike trails in the Austin area. It’s easy to ride—if I don’t go to the demanding mountain biking areas—and offers exciting off-trail options when I want to explore more. The … Read More

Known for its expansive landscape views, Big Bend National Park (Texas) also has a fantastic display of wildflowers. If you have ever been to that park in the spring, you have seen a vast display of wildflowers covering the entire … Read More

While running some errands this afternoon, I made a speedy stop at a local Austin gem: Mayfield Park & Nature Preserve. Nestled in Central Austin, the park is an oasis with short trails, ponds, flowers, and several peacocks roaming freely. … Read More

This morning, I read an article about the Monarch butterfly’s plight in the Washington Post. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has a significant proposal to declare Monarchs a threatened species. Scientists are saying the species is on the decline. The … Read More

Mexican Tulip Poppies (Hunnemannia fumariifolia) are known by various names, including the golden poppy and mallow-leaved poppy. They get their name because they are shaped like tulips. They can be bright orange or yellow with petals tapered and flared at … Read More